CVE-2023-53407
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's USB gadget driver for PXA27x processors. When debugfs_lookup() is called without proper cleanup, it causes gradual memory exhaustion over time. This affects Linux systems using the pxa27x_udc USB gadget driver.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel
📦 What is this software?
Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Sustained exploitation could lead to kernel memory exhaustion, causing system instability, denial of service, or potential kernel crashes.
Likely Case
Gradual memory consumption over time leading to degraded system performance and eventual resource exhaustion requiring system reboot.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper patching; memory leak is prevented and system stability is maintained.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires triggering the specific debugfs functionality in the pxa27x_udc driver; not a remote code execution vulnerability.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions with commits 67c931a3f2f061bf457995fd21fff114325e0c30 and related fixes
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/67c931a3f2f061bf457995fd21fff114325e0c30
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Rebuild kernel if compiling from source. 3. Reboot system to load patched kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable pxa27x_udc driver
LinuxRemove or blacklist the vulnerable USB gadget driver if not required
modprobe -r pxa27x_udc
echo 'blacklist pxa27x_udc' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Monitor system memory usage for abnormal consumption patterns
- Implement process isolation and restrict access to debugfs functionality
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if pxa27x_udc module is loaded: lsmod | grep pxa27x_udcCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Check kernel version contains fix commits or verify pxa27x_udc driver version📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel OOM (Out of Memory) messages
- Increasing memory usage without clear cause
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("Out of memory" OR "oom-killer")